News and research tips for finding out about ancestors that lived in Hendricks County, Indiana.

Friday, November 12, 2010

NEWSPAPER TIDBIT: First Women in County As Petit Jurors (1937)

An item found in The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, January 28, 1937 - page 1, column 3:

TWO WOMEN SERVE ON DAMAGE SUIT JURY
First in History of the Hendricks Circuit Court

For the first time in the history of Hendricks County women have served on the jury. Two women who made Hendricks County history were Mrs. Walter E. Hadley of Plainfield and Mrs. Abigail Durham of North Salem. Both were impaneled on the jury last Thursday for the trial of A.E. Lowe vs. Steward Pritchett and Jewell Pritchett. The trial was on a damage suit arising from an automobile wreck north of Danville. Lowe was awarded $300 damages.

Only one other time has a woman's name been drawn for jury duty and this was due to a mistake as Clerk Walter E. Hadley thought that Leo Halfaker of Middle township was a masculine name. Mrs. Halfaker came to Danville to see why she had been chosen for jury duty and the mistake was found. Mrs. Halfaker was excused. However, Mrs. Hadley and Mrs. Durham seem to enjoy the fact that they were the first women to serve on a Hendricks County jury.